Text -- Philemon 1:10 (NET)

1:10 I am appealing to you concerning my child, whose spiritual father I have become during my imprisonment, that is, Onesimus,

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Phm 1:10

¹ tn Or “I am encouraging…”

² tn Grk “my child whom I have begotten.” The adjective “spiritual” has been supplied before “father” in the translation to clarify for the modern reader that Paul did not literally father a child during his imprisonment. Paul’s point is that he was instrumental in Onesimus’ conversion while in prison.

³ sn During my imprisonment. Apparently Onesimus became a believer under Paul’s shepherding while he [Paul] was a prisoner in Rome.